As the coronavirus continued to evolve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of developing long COVID decreased significantly, especially for those who were vaccinated. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, focusing on individuals who had contracted COVID from March 2020 to January 2022.
During the pre-delta phase of the pandemic, the rate of long COVID was higher among unvaccinated individuals, with 104 out of 1,000 developing long COVID up to a year after infection. However, this number decreased to 95 per 1,000 during the delta variant era and further dropped to 78 during the omicron phase. In contrast, vaccinated individuals had significantly lower rates of long COVID, with only 53 out of 1,000 developing the condition during the delta variant era and 35 during the omicron phase.
The study also compared the rates of long COVID between different phases of the pandemic and found that the decline in long COVID during the omicron phase was largely attributed to vaccines. Approximately 72% of the reduction in long COVID rates during the omicron phase was due to vaccination, while the remainder was a result of changes in the virus and advancements in medical care and antiviral treatments.
Despite the significant decrease in the occurrence of long COVID among vaccinated individuals, the researchers emphasized that there is still a risk, especially with ongoing new infections and reinfections. They highlighted the importance of vaccination in reducing the likelihood of developing long COVID and preventing further spread of the virus.
Overall, the findings of the study suggest that the evolving nature of the coronavirus, coupled with vaccination efforts, has played a crucial role in reducing the risk of long COVID. However, continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines are essential to further mitigate the impact of the virus and prevent long-term complications among individuals who have been infected.
